Soren Kierkegaard said, “The most common form of despair is not being who you are." Pam Meyer, President of Sanctuary Women in Ministry shared some thoughts on how we can be true to ourselves while still considering the feelings of others at the same time. This "outward mindset" does not mean we have to betray ourselves in the process, it simply means doing our best to act out of love and realizing each one of us is human. To learn more about Pam and Sanctuary Women in Ministry, visit sanctuarywomen.org/. Follow Serenity Now Massage Therapy: Instagram - www.instagram.com/serenitynowLKN Facebook - www.facebook.com/serenitynowLKN Follow Danielle’s mental health journey: Instagram - www.instagram.com/joyfulrising Facebook - www.facebook.com/joyfulrisingwithdanielle

Finding community is the theme this week on “Serenity Now: Holistic Approached to Health & Happiness,”as I interviewed Stacey Rosenthal, owner of FIT4MOM Lake Norman. She shared her story of overcoming post-partum depression following the birth of her second child and how connecting with like-minded individuals helped her through that difficult time. We discussed how movement and physical activity can improve mental health and Stacey explained what the FIT4MOM fitness community has to offer local Lake Norman moms. To learn more about Fit4Mom Lake Norman, visit lakenorman.fit4mom.com/. Follow Danielle's mental health journey: Instagram - www.instagram.com/joyfulrising Facebook - www.facebook.com/joyfulrisingwithdanielle Follow Serenity Now Massage Therapy: Instagram - www.instagram.com/serenitynowLKN Facebook - www.facebook.com/serenitynowLKN

Darius “Olvr…” Oliver is an upcoming musician and survivor of childhood molestation who shared his powerful story publicly for the first time during this interview. We discussed the perception that sexual assault doesn’t happen in the African American male community, and he shared how he is giving back to Freedom 4/24, a human trafficking non-profit. We also discussed his future in music and ended the show with one of his original songs, Overdrive, from his EP Clarity. To learn more about Olvr… and his journey, follow along at www.instagram.com/olvr_official or at www.twitter.com/Olvr15. To learn more about Freedom 4/24, visit www.freedom424.org. Follow Danielle’s mental health journey: Instagram - www.instagram.com/joyfulrising Facebook - www.facebook.com/joyfulrisingwithdanielle Follow Serenity Now Massage Therapy: Instagram - www.instagram.com/serenitynowLKN Facebook - www.facebook.com/serenitynowLKN

Hope is the theme as I interview Debbie O’Handley, Executive Director of the Hope House Foundation. They are a local non-profit that provides housing and support services for women and children experiencing situational homelessness. We discussed the common denominator of pain among these women and how the resources and support provided by Hope House allows them to transition into a new mentality of hope and opportunity. To learn more about the Hope House Foundation and how you can get involved or donate, visit www.hopehousefoundation.org/. Follow Danielle’s mental health journey: Instagram - www.instagram.com/joyfulrising Facebook - www.facebook.com/joyfulrisingwithdanielle Follow Serenity Now Massage Therapy: Instagram - www.instagram.com/serenitynowLKN Facebook - www.facebook.com/serenitynowLKN

Mamie Neely is a Chron’s Disease Patient Advocate and Mental Health Advocate who has risen above her struggles with chronic autoimmune illness, anxiety and depression. She openly shares her story and we discuss the importance of choosing joy and gratitude, even during difficult times. Counseling and meditation were helpful tools to Mamie and meditation continues to keep her on track mentally. To learn more about Mamie, visit mamielneely.wixsite.com/website or follow her on Instagram at www.instagram.com/mamie_neely1. Follow Danielle: Instagram - www.instagram.com/joyfulrising Facebook - www.facebook.com/joyfulrisingwithdanielle Follow Serenity Now Massage Therapy: Instagram - www.instagram.com/serenitynowLKN Facebook - www.facebook.com/serenitynowLKN

Michelle Simmons is a Mental Health Advocate, blogger, and women’s support group leader. She shared her story of being bullied as a child and her experience with anxiety, post-partum depression and multiple suicide attempts. In April of 2018, she made some big life changes that have positively impacted her mental health. We talked about ways we show ourselves love and support and hope that everyone listening will prioritize self-care as well. To learn more about Michelle and her women’s support group based out of Mooresville, North Carolina, visit www.awovenmind.com/. Follow Danielle: Instagram - www.instagram.com/joyfulrising Facebook - www.facebook.com/joyfulrisingwithdanielle Follow Serenity Now Massage Therapy: Instagram - www.instagram.com/serenitynowLKN Facebook - www.facebook.com/serenitynowLKN

I learned about Autism After 18, this month's charity spotlight, through a local networking group, Business Leaders of Charlotte (BLOC). Brett Metcalf discussed BLOC and then Margaret Neelson, a chairperson from Autism After 18, explained their mission of unlocking life’s potential for adults with autism. Her son has autism and she had a vision of creating a support network where he could make friends and learn life skills. That vision has certainly come to fruition over the past few years and they have a big vision of creating chapters across the country. To learn more about BLOC, visit www.businessleadersofcharlotte.com or attend their next after hours event Wed, Feb 27 at 5:30pm at Slate Billiards. To learn more about Autism After 18, visit autismafter18.org/ or email Margaret at mneelsen@autismafter18.org. They host regular events for adults with autism and their next fundraising event "Dollar for a Scholar" in support of World Autism Month in April (details will be posted online by the end of March). Follow Danielle: Instagram - www.instagram.com/joyfulrising Facebook - www.facebook.com/joyfulrisingwithdanielle Follow Serenity Now Massage Therapy: Instagram - www.instagram.com/serenitynowLKN Facebook - www.facebook.com/serenitynowLKN

Stephanie McPherson is an Integrative Nutrition Health Coach, Behaviors and Motivators High Performance Life Coach and Creator and Host of the Cooking Show, De Fa Rekin Licious. She was definitely one of my most animated guests to date and there were points in this interview where the WSIC sound expert couldn't help but laugh along with us. We discussed the importance of mindset and focusing on your “why” so healthy lifestyle changes stick. To learn more about Stephanie, visit www.defarekinlicious.com or www.facebook.com/defarekinlicious. Claim your free 75 Minute Healthy Life Strategy with Stephanie session by emailing defreakinlicious@gmail.com with subject line #serenitynow. Follow Danielle: Instagram - www.instagram.com/joyfulrising Facebook - www.facebook.com/joyfulrisingwithdanielle Follow Serenity Now Massage Therapy: Instagram - www.instagram.com/serenitynowLKN Facebook - www.facebook.com/serenitynowLKN

Camille Wilson is a Licensed Professional Counselor and Board Certified Coach with a private practice, Full Journey Counseling & Wellness, located in Davidson, NC. She shared how her own mental health struggles led her to pursue a career counseling. We discussed trends she sees in clients who have experienced trauma or who are going through life transitions in addition to reasons why people are afraid to seek counseling. To learn more about Camille, visit www.fulljourney.org and to schedule your free 30 min consultation for show listeners, call 704-980-9599 or email Camille@FullJourney.org. Follow Danielle: Instagram - www.instagram.com/joyfulrising Facebook - www.facebook.com/joyfulrisingwithdanielle Follow Serenity Now Massage Therapy: Instagram - www.instagram.com/serenitynowLKN Facebook - www.facebook.com/serenitynowLKN